Sunday
August 13
WHEN THE SPIRIT IS RAINED UPON US (Joel 2:23).
What was one of the ways the Lord demonstrated His ap-
proval or disapproval of ancient Israel? Lev. 26:3, 4; Deut. 11:13,
14; 28:12.
An agricultural society would find very meaningful God's provi-
sion of rain as a symbol of His blessing, and the absence of rain as a
symbol of blessings withdrawn. This symbolism is common through-
out the Old Testament. At the dedication of the temple, Solomon
prayed that the Lord would grant rain when the people repented of their
sins (1 Kings 8:35, 36). God revealed His disapproval of Israel's apos-
tasy in Elijah's time by allowing a three-and-one-half-year drought
(1 Kings 17:1, 7, 14). Job, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Amos, and Zechariah
pointed to rain or lack of it as a special mark of divine favor or disfavor.
(See Job 5:10; Jer. 3:2, 3; Isa. 5:5, 6; Amos 4:7; Zech. 14:17.)
Rain in general, but especially the two most important annual
rainfalls, the early and latter rains, are used to illustrate God's loving
acceptance of His faithful people.
In Palestine, the "early rain" ("former" or "autumn" rain) falls late
in October or in November when the seed is sown. The "latter rain"
coming in the spring, in March and early April, facilitates the ripen-
ing of the grain for the harvest.
What specific divine gifts does rainfall represent? Hosea 6:3;
10:12; Joel 2:23, 28 (compare Isa. 32:15-17).
The Lord comes to us "as the spring rains that water the earth"
(Hosea 6:3, RSV). As we respond in love to His appeals, He "comes
and showers righteousness" upon us (Hosea 10:12, NIV). Righteous-
ness is bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit (Isa. 32:15-17). The
obvious intent of the Bible writers is to use rainfall as a symbol of the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon God's people. (Compare the New
Testament emphasis: Acts 14:17; James 5:7, 8, 16-18.)
This intent was shared by Joel. The Hebrew of Joel 2:23 may be
translated, "He has given to you the early rain for righteousness," or,
as the NIV renders it, "He has given you a teacher for righteousness."
Either way, considering the text in relation to verse 28, the reference
is to the gift of the Holy Spirit, who, as Christ's representative, is our
source of righteousness. When the Spirit is rained upon us, we have
the qualification for salvation—righteousness.
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